Relatives of those killed on Bloody Sunday 30 years ago this month were set to be the first to view a special preview of a film of the event in Derry today.
The documentary, dramatising the shootings on January 30, 1972, is to be shown to the families of the dead and those injured before a second showing for residents of the town, followed by a gala screening in the evening for stars and politicians.
Nationalist MPs Mr Martin McGuinness, Mr John Hume and Mr Gerry Adams are all expected to attend the third showing at the Millennium Forum alongside actors Mr James Nesbitt and Mr Tim Pigott-Smith.
The film, shot in documentary-style hand-held form, covers the 24 hours around the tragic events of Bloody Sunday which left 13 civilians dead when British paras opened fire during a civil rights march.
It centres on Mr Ivan Cooper, head of the civil rights movement and MP for Derry, played by Mr James Nesbitt. Soldiers who marched on the day will play themselves in the documentary.
The dramatisation will be screened on ITV on Sunday January 20 before debuting at cinemas on February 1.
Event organiser Mr Pete Daly explained this unusual move, saying: "The film makers wanted to resurrect all the issues and get as many people to watch the feature as possible.
"But we wanted the families to see it first."
As to the neutrality of the film, Mr Daly said the film "doesn't sit on the fence" and should provoke lively discussion but "everything can be backed up".
PA